As a Clinical Research Technician in the Emergency Department at Riley Children's Hospital, I support ongoing research for the PediDOSE and Pedi-PART studies, which focus on pediatric seizure management and intubation-related care. My responsibilities include managing and organizing clinical data, tracking Paramedic Self-Report (PSR) submissions, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of datasets used for analysis.
This role has deepened my understanding of pediatric emergency medicine and the critical role research plays in shaping evidence-based treatment protocols. By contributing to studies that aim to improve outcomes for critically ill children, I am gaining firsthand experience in how clinical research directly influences patient care in real-world settings.
In my role as Counter Help at Panda Express, I was responsible for greeting guests, accurately taking orders, and handling transactions in accordance with company cash-handling policies. With over five years of experience as a server, I have developed strong customer service and multitasking skills, especially in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.
Working at Panda Express has helped me build confidence in delivering excellent customer service. I’ve learned to communicate effectively with both customers and team members, allowing me to solve problems quickly and maintain a positive dining experience. This position has also challenged me to stay organized, adaptable, and solution-oriented during busy shifts.
Center Stage Dance Academy is a dance studio located on the southside of Indianapolis. I was involved as a competition team member for 16 years. I was a dance student assistant too. I have even had the opportunity to perform in Walt Disney World twice. My responsibilities included demonstrating dance techniques to younger students, leading my senior dance groups, and representing my competition team. This experience was rewarding because I was able to work with kids from all different backgrounds.
Servant's Heart of Indy is an organization that improves the lives of children and families who suffer from food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition. I was a volunteer at a site in Beech Grove, Indianapolis. The meals packed are created with food cans and bagged snacks.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church is a church in Indianapolis. The Neighborhood Connection is a ministry which works to provide resources to the community. I was a volunteer at the annual yard sale which taught me social responsibilities. Gethsemane Lutheran Church partners with Lutheran Child and Family Services.
Through my previous experiences, I’ve learned that trust, honesty, and clear communication are essential to effective teamwork. I consider my strengths to be active listening, problem-solving, and multi-tasking which are skills that help me respond thoughtfully and stay engaged with my team’s needs.
My background in competitive dance has played a major role in developing these strengths. In a studio setting, each dancer has a specific role and individual choreography, but the success of the performance depends on how well the team works together. Encouraging one another, staying disciplined, and relying on each other’s commitment taught me more about collaboration than any other experience.
I’ve been able to carry these lessons into my internship, where working as part of a research team requires the same level of coordination, support, and accountability. Dance has shaped my understanding of what it means to contribute to a shared goal, whether on stage or in the clinical research environment.
My clogging group on stage
My production group on stage